RS News

Security Force Captures Taliban Commander in Kandahar

2010-08-CA-256 For Immediate Release

Download PDFKABUL, Afghanistan (Aug. 22) - An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents in Kandahar province Saturday, including a Taliban commander involved in ambushes, improvised explosive device attacks and the acquisition of weapons and munitions. The security force targeted two Taliban commanders at a series of compounds in the village of Raian Kala in Arghandab district. At the first compound, Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compound peacefully and then secured the area. After questioning all of the residents at the scene, the security force identified and detained one of the targeted commanders and three additional suspected insurgents. The security force then moved to another compound nearby in pursuit of another Taliban commander and weapons expert. He served as the chief of staff for senior Taliban commander who was killed in a coalition precision air strike last week. After the Afghan-led callout and questioning, the security force detained three suspected insurgents for further questioning. The security force also found a hand grenade at the scene. "Our joint forces continue to successfully remove those heading the efforts of the Taliban in Kandahar," U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director. "Through these ongoing operations, several Taliban leaders have been captured and two were killed this month alone." The security force did not fire their weapons and they protected the women and children throughout the searches.